UMUR
"Just a Face in the Crowd" is the seconnd full-length studio album by US, Hoboken/Jersey City, New Jersey based thrash metal act Gothic Slam. The album was released through Roadracer Records in 1989. It´s the successor to "Killer Instinct" from 1988 and proved to be the band´s last release before disbanding in 1993 (although a demo was recorded in 1991 but shelved).
Stylistically the material on "Just a Face in the Crowd" continue the thrash metal style with crossover leanings (the music for example features riot gang backing vocals) that was introduced on "Killer Instinct" (1988). Gothic Slam are well playing and lead vocalist Daniel Gomez delivers a passionate and powerful performance. He has a voice and vocal style which can be described as a combination of Bon Scott (AC/DC) and Steve "Zetro" Souza (Exodus), although he maybe lacks the uniqueness to his performance as his influences are able to deliver.
"Just a Face in the Crowd" features 9 original tracks and a cover of "Thunder and Lightning" by Thin Lizzy. Both the originals and the cover are well performed, energetic, and entertaining, and "Just a Face in the Crowd" is well produced too, which provides the material with good conditions to shine. The songwriting is relatively memorable and effective, but Gothic Slam don´t produce anything you haven´t heard before. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is still warranted though, as this is a good quality recording.
